PPK Workers Down Tools For Second Time In A Week Over Pay Dispute

 BY IAN CROUCH

Workers from PPK Mining and Equipment at Tomago have walked off the job again for 24 hours over a pay dispute.

They're angry over what they say is a broken promise of a fair pay deal from company owner Dale McNamara.

It's the second time in a week the workers have downed tools - they're again rallying on the roundabout at the corner of Old Punt Road and Tomago Road today (Thursday 13 April, 2023).

Australian Workers Union Organiser, Cameron Wright says workers have also imposed an overtime ban. 

"They've got more work than they can do, and from all reports profits are up, business is booming, the price of coal is very high. They're needing these guys to do a huge amount of overtime to get the machinery out the door. It's no good crying poor at a time like this when the guys can see that the company is really doing quite well," he said.

PPK Workers Rallying At Tomago last Thursday. Picture NBN News

 

PKK Mining Equipment Workers Walk Off the Job, Rallying for Fairer Pay Deal

BY DANEIE GEDDES

Workers at PPK Mining Equipment at Tomago have walked off the job for 24 hours, rallying for a fairer pay deal.

Workers say they are fed-up with business owner, Dale McNamara, who ran as an Independent candidate in the seat of Upper Hunter at the recent state election.   

They say Mr McNamara froze pay at the beginning of 2021, promising to make it up to them once a big merger went through with Valley Longwall International, which has occurred. 

Vice President of the Australian Workers Union NSW Branch, Cameron Wright, said workers are now being asked to accept a deal which doesn't come close to matching the rising the cost of living. 

"Dale McNamara likes to claim he's a friend to workers in the Hunter but he has betrayed the trust of his employees at PPK," he said. 

"PKK workers won't accept a sub-par deal that doesn't give them a fair cut of the profitability they've helped create."

After rallying at Tomago Roundabout this morning, workers hope Mr McNamara agrees to get back around the table to negotiate a fair deal and a reasonable, comprised outcome. 

"I hate to say it, but if we can't do that, then we're likely to be out here at the Tomago Roundabout again," Mr Wright said.   

UPDATE: Nurses Take Industrial Action At John Hunter Hospital

BY IAN CROUCH and MADELAINE McNEIL

Medical Imaging nurses at the John Hunter Hospital have called off  a two-hour stop work meeting.

The decision follows a hearing in the NSW Industrial Relations Commission, after the Hunter New England Health District filed an urgent dispute against the action.

The Nurses and Midwives Association says both parties reached an agreement during this morning's hearing to continue consulting over the issue.

EARLIER:


Nurses from the John Hunter Hospital's Medical Imaging Department will hold a 2-hour stop work meeting from 9.00am on Thursday to discuss ongoing concerns about staffing, workloads and patient safety.

The Nurses and Midwives' Association says it's been raising these issues for years with Hunter New England Health and despite last minute talks, a mutual agreement could not be reached.

The Association says patients requiring emergency care will be treated, with one nurse to remain in the department while the industrial action is taking place.